The United States leaned on Pakistan to open communication channels with Iran during negotiations for a temporary ceasefire, according to a report by the Financial Times. The development casts Islamabad less as a neutral mediator and more as a conduit for Washington’s outreach at a critical moment in the conflict.
The push came as the US sought a pause in hostilities linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Pakistan’s identity as a Muslim-majority neighbour was seen as helping make the proposal more acceptable to Tehran, giving it a role in sensitive backchannel exchanges.
Army chief took charge as Pakistan relayed US proposals
The report said Pakistan’s Army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir led the effort, coordinating closely with senior US officials. In the final phase, he held direct talks with US President Donald Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and special envoy Steve Witkoff.
Pakistani officials moved proposals between Washington and Tehran, including a 15-point plan drafted by the US. Iran responded with shorter counter-proposals, including five- and 10-point suggestions, the report said. Diplomats indicated that Tehran showed some willingness to consider limits on parts of its nuclear programme, but only after sustained indirect engagement.
The process culminated in a two-week ceasefire announced by the US, Iran and Israel, even as Trump publicly warned of severe consequences if his terms were not met.
Questions over Pakistan’s role and messaging
The Financial Times report suggested Pakistan’s involvement was driven more by US pressure than independent diplomacy, raising questions about its claim of acting as a neutral broker.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was the first to publicly float the idea of a two-week ceasefire, appeared to have a limited role as the talks progressed, with the military taking the lead.
A separate report by The New York Times said Pakistan’s public messaging closely tracked Washington’s position. Sharif’s social media appeal seeking an extension of Trump’s deadline was cleared by the White House before it was posted, pointing to deeper coordination behind the scenes.
The episode also drew attention after Sharif mistakenly posted what appeared to be a draft message, including the line “draft — Pakistan’s PM message on X”, before editing it. The slip suggested a hurried attempt to present Pakistan as leading the diplomatic push.
Regional tensions and next round of talks
The reports also pointed to the complexity of Pakistan’s position. A drone strike on Saudi Arabia’s petrochemical hub in Jubail came at a time when Islamabad had a defence pact with Riyadh, yet it maintained a neutral stance to keep diplomatic channels open.
Sharif’s claim that Lebanon was part of the ceasefire arrangement was also contradicted by both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who indicated that Israeli operations against Hezbollah would continue.
Meanwhile, the diplomatic process is set to move forward with direct talks between the US and Iran scheduled in Islamabad this weekend. The US side will be led by Vice-President Vance, while Iran will be represented by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
The meeting follows the announcement of a two-week ceasefire after weeks of escalating conflict, with both sides expected to explore a longer-term arrangement.